Technical group colleagues 'could support censure of Wallace'

Dáil technical group colleagues of under-fire TD Mick Wallace have refused to rule out voting to censure the Independent deputy.

It emerged yesterday that his construction firm had made a €2.1m settlement with Revenue for the underpayment of VAT - and he admitted knowingly making a false VAT declaration to try and save MJ Wallace Ltd.

The Dáil Committee on Procedures and Privileges has been asked to look into the settlement to determine if any Oireachtas rules were broken.

The Independent Wexford TD met with his colleagues in the technical group yesterday to discuss the revelations.

People Before Profit TD Joan Collins said that if a motion to censure Deputy Wallace came up in the Dáil, it is possible she could support it.

"We cannot support people not paying their taxes," she said.

"So if there is a censure motion we will have to discuss that and make a decision on (it)."

Donegal South West TD Thomas Pringle was also present at yesterday's meeting.

"I wouldn't have a problem supporting a motion of censure," Deputy Pringle said.

"But obviously we would have to see what the wording was.

"I think there is no doubt that what Mick Wallace did was wrong, and if the Committee on Procedures and Privileges puts forward a motion I would imagine that every member of the Dáil would probably support it."